Minnesota WEEKLY FISHING UPDATE – MARCH 18, 2022

Panfishing has been excellent but anglers need to be aware that ice and snow are melting at a rapid pace. Even though ice may remain thick, travel on the ice has become difficult in some areas due to wet conditions and slush. Anglers must use extra caution at the accesses and shorelines, and check ice conditions often when venturing out.

The deadline to remove fish houses from inland lakes in the southern two-thirds of the state was March 7; fish houses on lakes in the northern one-third must be removed by March 21. On Minnesota-Canada border waters, the removal deadline is March 31. Anglers are asked to properly dispose of all garbage, sewage or waste water on the ice. Learn more.

Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2022-2023 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: Stream trout: April 16; walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass (catch-and-release) and lake trout: May 14; muskie: June 4. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. The walleye and sauger season for Minnesota waters that border Canada remains open until April 14.

Please remember that ice conditions can vary greatly from one lake to another, and on the same body of water. Learn more about ice safety.

And before dropping a line, take time to brush up on Minnesota‘s rules, regulations and other helpful information for fishing.

Northwest Region Crappies and bluegills are eager to bite on lakes in the Detroit Lakes vicinity as fish move into the shallows. Pods of perch can be found at various depths on Lake Winnibigoshish. Lake of the Woods anglers are enjoying an extended walleye and sauger season that remains open through April 14, with a mixed bag of walleye, sauger, jumbo perch, northern pike, eelpout, tullibee and crappies reported. Get more details about fishing in Northwest Minnesota.

Central Region On lakes in Otter Tail Lakes Country, look for panfish in the shallows near the old weed beds. For the most action, use rattle baits and plastics. On Lake Mille Lacs, roads were recently plowed and some new roads added, but this may be the final plowing of the season. Warm temperatures are expected to cause ice at the accesses to erode rapidly in the near future. Get more details about fishing in Central Minnesota.